Loudspeakers will blare during the immersion

Mumbai: Loudspeakers can blare in Mumbai during the Ganapati Visarjan festivities tomorrow, with the Supreme Court today staying a High Court order banning their use in the state.

The Bombay High Court on September 1 had granted an interim stay to a recent amendment to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules that led to the elimination of 1,573 notified ‘silence zones’ in Mumbai ahead of festive season.

Mumbai: Loudspeakers can blare in Mumbai during the Ganapati Visarjan festivities tomorrow, with the Supreme Court today staying a High Court order banning their use in the state.

The Bombay High Court on September 1 had granted an interim stay to a recent amendment to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules that led to the elimination of 1,573 notified ‘silence zones’ in Mumbai ahead of festive season.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud issued notice to the social activists on a plea of state government and stayed the September 1 order of high court.

It sought a reply from the activists in favour of the ban within two weeks and restrained the high court from passing any further orders in the matter.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for state government, said the high court has erred in staying the rules which cannot be done.

“If these all India rules are implemented in a literal sense, then you cannot use loudspeakers near a small clinic, school or even court premises which will virtually make the entire country go silent,” Mehta said.